High Protein Soybean Meal

ABSTRACT

A high protein soybean meal is disclosed. The soybean meal is generated from soybeans that are capable of commercial yields, wherein the meal comprises at least 58% protein on a dry weight basis. The soybean meal of the present invention may also be generated from soybeans comprising a mean whole seed total protein plus oil content of greater than about 64%, on a dry weight basis, wherein the soybean has a yield, under standard agronomic conditions, of at least 30 bushels per acre. Also disclosed is an animal feed containing the soybean meal of the present invention.

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.60/539,168 filed Jan. 26, 2004, the disclosure of which is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

The present invention relates to the area of animal nutrition andspecialty feeds. In particular the present invention relates to a highprotein soybean meal suitable for use as an ingredient in animal feedingoperations.

Soybeans are a major agricultural commodity in many parts of the world,and they are the source of many useful products for both human andanimal consumption. Two of the more important commercial productsobtained from soybeans are soybean oil and soybean meal. Soybean oil isused as an energy source in animal feeds although its primary use is forhuman consumption. Soybean meal is used primarily as a component inanimal feed.

Commercial soybean meals are a good source of amino acids in poultrydiets as they are relatively high in protein when compared to othergrain sources such as corn. A soybean meal having a higher proteincontent would be desirable (Edwards et al., Poultry Sci., 79:525-527(2000)). There is a limitation, however, on total endogenous proteincontent in commercial soybean meal because commercial soybeans aretypically about 41% protein on a dry matter basis. Substantially higherprotein content in soybeans, such as in excess of 55% on a dry weightbasis, has been uniformly associated with poor agronomic qualities, suchas poor yield. See for example, Wehrmann et al., Crop Sci., 27:927-931(1987) and Simpson and Wilcox, Crop Sci., 23:1077-1081 (1983).Additionally, use of exogenous protein sources to supplement soybeanmeals adds cost and formulation problems.

Therefore, it would be desirable to have a soybean meal having a higherendogenous protein content that is derived from soybeans that havefavorable agronomic qualities.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides answers to the needs articulated above.In particular, the present invention provides a soybean meal, generatedfrom a soybean capable of commercial yields, comprising at least about58% protein on a dry weight basis. In another embodiment, the presentinvention provides a soybean meal, generated from a soybean capable ofcommercial yields, comprising at least about 60% protein on a dry weightbasis. In a further embodiment, the present invention provides a soybeanmeal, generated from a soybean capable of commercial yields, comprisingat least about 62% protein on a dry weight basis.

In yet another aspect, the soybean has an actual grain yield, understandard agronomic practices, of at least about 30 bushels per acre. Ina further aspect, the soybean has a comparative yield of at least about67% of an agronomically elite variety.

The present invention further provides a feed containing the soybeanmeal, generated from a soybean capable of commercial yields, comprisingat least about 58% protein on a dry weight basis.

The present invention further provides a feed containing the soybeanmeal generated from a soybean, comprising at least about 58% protein ona dry weight basis, wherein the soybean has a grain yield, understandard agronomic practices, of at least about 30 bushels per acre.

In a further aspect of the present invention, the soybean is transgenic.In yet a further aspect, the transgenic soybean comprises an exogenousgene conferring herbicide resistance. In yet a further aspect, thetransgenic soybean is resistant to glyphosate herbicides.

The present invention further provides a soybean meal, generated from asoybean capable of commercial yields, comprising at least about 56%protein on a dry weight basis, wherein the soybean has a yield, understandard agronomic practices, of at least about 30 bushels per acre.

The present invention further provides a soybean meal, generated from asoybean comprising a mean whole seed total protein plus oil content ofat least about 64% on a dry weight basis, wherein the soybean is capableof commercial yields. The present invention further provides a soybeanmeal, generated from a soybean comprising a mean whole seed totalprotein plus oil content of at least than about 64% on a dry weightbasis, wherein the soybean has a yield, under standard agronomicconditions, of at least about 30 bushels per acre.

The present invention further provides a soybean meal resulting from theprocessing of a high protein soybean variety, said soybean varietyhaving a mean whole seed total protein content of greater than about 45%on a dry weight basis, and wherein the soybean variety is capable ofcommercial yields.

The present invention further provides a protein isolate and a proteinconcentrate prepared from the soybean meal of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention includes the use of a new soybean meal in animaland aquaculture feeding operations.

The following definitions are used herein:

Agronomically Elite: A soybean genotype that has many distinguishabletraits, such as emergence, vigor, vegetative vigor, disease resistance,seed set, standability, and threshability, which allows a producer toharvest a product of commercial significance.

Commercial Yield: A yield of grain having commercial significance to thegrower represented by an actual grain yield of at least 30 bushels peracre (Bu/A) as a mean measured over at least 14 environments, grownunder standard agronomic practices.

Comparative Yield: A yield of grain, stated as a percentage of a yieldof another soybean variety grown under comparative yield trialconditions. Conditions for comparative yield trials are well known inthe art of soybean breeding. For example, a soybean variety having ayield of 43 Bu/A would have a comparative yield of 80% of anagronomically elite soybean variety having a yield of 54 Bu/A.

Dehulled Soybean Meal: A soybean meal having most of the hull fractionremoved during the dehulling process step. The dehulled, solventextracted soybean meal must not contain more than 3.5% fiber andtypically contains between 48-50% protein at a 12% moisture basis.

Exogenous Protein: Protein that is not an intrinsic part of the soybeanfrom which the soybean meal has been produced. Exogenous protein may beadded to the meal or to the feed, in order to increase the proteinconcentration in the respective products.

Full Fat Soybean Meal: A soybean meal produced without extraction ofoil.

High Fiber Soybean Meal: A soybean meal wherein the dehulling processhas been omitted or minimized. Typical fiber levels in high fibersoybeans are 4-8% at 12% moisture basis.

Isonutritive diets: Animal diets formulated to have equal levels ofnutrients, including energy, protein, and essential amino acids.

Isometric diet: Animal diets that are formulated to have the same levelsof a particular ingredient. For instance, a hypothetical diet Acontaining 25% commodity soybean meal, and a hypothetical diet Bcontaining 25% high protein soybean meal, are said to be isometric withrespect to soybean meal.

Isonitrogenous diet: Animal diets that are formulated at the same levelsof protein and essential amino acids.

Lodging Score: Lodging is rated on a scale of 1 to 9. A score of 1indicates erect plants. A score of 5 indicates plants are leaning at a45 degree(s) angle in relation to the ground and a score of 9 indicatesplants are laying on the ground.

Oil content: Weight percentage of oil contained in soybean seed orsoybean meal, stated on a dry basis.

Phenotype: The detectable characteristics of a cell or organism, whichcharacteristics are the manifestation of gene expression.

Protein Content: Weight percentage of protein contained in soybean seedor soybean meal, stated on a dry weight basis unless noted otherwise.

Relative Maturity: The maturity grouping designated by the soybeanindustry over a given growing area This figure is generally divided intotenths of a relative maturity group. Within narrow comparisons, thedifference of a tenth of a relative maturity group equates very roughlyto a day difference in maturity at harvest.

Soybean Meal: A feed ingredient that is a product of processing soybeangrain, wherein most of the oil (fat) is removed. The phrase “soybeanmeal,” as used in the context of this present invention, refers to adefatted, desolventized, toasted, and ground soybean material, to whichno exogenous source of protein has been added.

Soybean Protein Isolate: The major proteinaceous fraction of soybeans,prepared from dehulled soybeans by removing the majority of non-proteincomponents and containing not less than about 90% protein on a dryweight basis.

Soybean Protein Concentrate: A preparation from high quality soybeanseeds, prepared by removing most of the oil and water solublenon-protein constituents and containing not less than about 65% proteinon a moisture-free basis.

Standard Agronomic Practices: Those practices employed by a commercialgrower, which would ensure at least an average yield for the definedregion. Included in standard agronomic practices are planting,fertilization, weed control, insect control, disease control, and grainharvest.

High Protein Soybean Varieties

The present invention provides high protein soybean meals derived fromsoybean varieties that are capable of commercial yields and have aprotein content of at least about 45% on a dry weight basis.Additionally, the present invention provides soybean meal derived fromsoybean varieties that are capable of commercial yields, and have a highprotein content without a corresponding reduction in seed oil. Inparticular, the present invention provides soybean meals having aprotein content greater than at least about 58% protein on a dry weightbasis, derived from soybean varieties with a mean whole seed totalprotein content of greater than about 45%. Such soybean varieties arecharacterized as being capable of a commercial yield. As used herein, acommercial yield is defined as a mean yield of at least about 30 bushelsper acre, measured over at least 14 environments, and grown withstandard agronomic practices.

The high protein soybean varieties of the present invention preferablyfurther comprise a mean whole seed total protein plus oil content ofgreater than about 64%, about 66%, about 68%, or about 70% on a dryweight basis. In further embodiments of the present invention, the highprotein soybean varieties have a mean whole seed total protein contenton a dry weight basis of at least about 45% up to about 50%.

Examples of soybean varieties that are used in the context of thepresent invention are those having a mean whole seed total proteincontent of greater than about 45%, or a mean whole seed total proteinplus oil content of about 64%. Most preferably such soybean varietiesare capable of a commercial yield, such as, without limitation, soybeanvarieties 0008079, 0137335, 0137472, 0137441, and 0137810, as describedby Byrum et al. (U.S. Published Application No. 20040060082).

Further examples of high protein soybean varieties used in the contextof the present invention that have a capability for commercial yieldsare the soybean varieties DBL3404D0R, DCP2904B0R, DFN3204E0R,DFN2204D0R, DRM2004A0R, DOX2804E0R.

Additional examples of high protein soybean varieties preferably used inthe context of the present invention, that are capable of commercialyields, are the soybean varieties EXP125A (designated as “Soybeanvariety 007583” in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/194,922, filedJul. 11, 2002; American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) deposit numberPTA-5764), EXP2702REN (designated as “Soybean variety 0137443” in U.S.patent application Ser. No. 10/745,299, filed on Dec. 23, 2003; ATCCdeposit number PTA-5762), EXP2902REN (designated as “Soybean variety0137400” in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/745,300, filed on Dec.23, 2003; ATCC deposit number PTA-5763), EXP2303REN, and EXP3103REN.

One preferred aspect of the present invention is directed to a soybeanmeal generated from soybean varieties having the characteristics setforth above, and, in particular, from the specific soybean varieties setforth herein as examples. A further aspect of the present invention isdirected to soybean meal generated from soybeans generated from tissuecultures of regenerable cells of the above mentioned high proteinsoybean varieties, which cultures regenerate soybean plants capable ofproducing seed expressing all the physiological and morphologicalcharacteristics of the variety. Such regenerable cells may includeembryos, meristematic cells, pollen, leaves, roots, root tips orflowers, or protoplasts or callus, derived therefrom.

The soybean varieties listed above are for illustrative purposes and arenot intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Other soybeanvarieties having a mean whole seed total protein content of at leastabout 45%, or a mean whole seed total protein plus oil content of atleast about 64%, and which are capable of commercial yields, may be usedto generate the soybean meal of the present invention.

In a further preferred aspect, the soybean variety of the presentinvention has a comparative yield of at least about 67% of anagronomically elite variety. More preferably, the comparative yield ofthe soybean variety used in the context of the present invention is atleast about 70%; yet more preferably, the comparative yield is at leastabout 75%; at least about 80%; at least about 90%; and most preferably,at least about 95%.

Soybean Processing

Many methods are known for the processing of raw soybeans into oil andmeal. Illustrative soybean meal preparation processes include thosetaught in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,992,294; 5,225,230; 5,773,051; and 5,866,192.Typically, commercial soybean processes include the receipt of thesoybeans from the field by any conventional transport means, such as,for example, truck, barge, or rail car. The soybeans, typically receivedin a dirty and often wet condition, may be cleaned by being placed incontact with a vibrating screen, by which the soybeans are separatedfrom non-soybean material, such as, for example, rocks, sticks, leaves,stems, dirt, weed seeds, and unwanted fragments of soybeans. The cleanedsoybeans, in combination with the loose hulls that are not removed bythe vibrating screen, are transferred to an aspirator in which most ofthe remaining loose hulls are removed by air. The soybeans aretransferred to storage, and the loose hulls are collected as aby-product for further processing.

At this point in the processing, the soybeans typically contain about12% by weight (wt %) water, but the actual water content of the soybeansmay vary based on a host of different factors. If the water content ofthe soybeans is in excess of about 12 wt %, then the soybeans may besubjected to drying to reduce the water content below about 12 wt %prior to placing in storage. The control of the water content isessential to prevent mold and microbial contamination during storage.

The processing procedures from this point forward depend upon thedesired end products. For example, the soybeans may be first dehulledusing such conventional equipment as cracking rolls or hammer mills incombination with a conventional aspiration system. Alternatively, thehulls may not be removed prior to further processing (see, for example,U.S. Pat. No. 5,225,230). In order to deactivate antinutritionalfactors, such as trypsin inhibitors, the soybeans may be subjected toheat for a set period of time prior to cracking, grinding, or crushing.The soybeans are then crushed or ground into a meal using conventionalequipment, such as grooved rollers.

For cracking processes, clean, dry, whole soybeans are fed to coarselycorrugated roller mills or “crackers.” These crackers can have one ormore sets of rolls. Soybean pieces, called “cracks,” are formed. Thegoal of the cracking step is to maximize the pieces that are ¼^(th) to⅛^(th) the size of the starting soybean, and minimize the formation offines, which are pieces less than 1 mm in diameter.

From the cracking mills, particles of whole soybeans (i.e., cracks) areconveyed to multistage aspiration dehulling systems, which typicallyemploy 1 to 3 stages. Each stage consists of an aspirator and a sizescreening system. At each stage, the fiber-rich “hulls” are firstremoved by means of a counter-current air stream and a cyclone. Theheavier, fiber-lean, “meats” fraction is conveyed to a screening systemthat removes at least one additional fraction by size, and yields onestream for further aspiration. Alternatively, screening can be employedprior to aspiration. The “hulls” stream is typically combined with othersoy byproducts and used as an animal feed ingredient. The dehulled“meats” are then dehulled again to less than about 3% crude fiber bymass (4.28% on a defatted, dry basis) using a 2 stage commercialpre-extraction process. However, the single stage systems can beemployed to yield meats streams.

The resulting meats are then heat conditioned in a rotary or stackcooker. The residence times of the cracks are typically between about 20and about 40 minutes. Discharge temperatures typically are in the rangeof 120 to 180° F. Lower conditioning temperatures may be employed if agreater fines production in the flaker is tolerable.

The conditioned meats are then fed to smooth roller mills calledflakers. A force of greater than about 500 kPa-gauge (72.5 psig) aretypically applied to the rolls. Flake thicknesses of less than about0.75 mm (0.030″) are preferably produced in order to obtain maximum oilrecovery in the subsequent oil extraction step. Optionally, the crackingand dehulling steps could be eliminated, or done subsequent to theconditioning step. An additional option would be to expand a percentageof the flaked soybeans to form “collets” prior to oil extraction. Otherprocess variations include conditioning prior to the cracking step, andeliminating the dehulling step prior to oil extraction. A soybean mealof the present invention produced in a process having the variation ofeliminating or reducing the dehulling step would be considered a highprotein and high fiber soybean meal. A high fiber soybean meal wouldhave a fiber content of between 4 and 8%. This product would be adesirable feed ingredient in a swine production operation.

The next step in the process of generating soybean meal is theextraction of oil. This extraction step is typically done using alipophilic solvent, but may also be done by mechanical extraction. Inthis process, the soybean meal is contacted with a suitable solvent,e.g., hexane, to remove the oil to a content of typically less thanabout 1% by weight. One example of a conventional solvent extractionprocedure is described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,721,569.

However, if a “full fat” soybean meal is desired, then the oil bearingmeal is not subjected to oil (also known as fat or lipid) extraction. Inthis embodiment of the present invention, the resulting product would bea high protein, “full fat” soybean meal.

At this stage, the solvent extracted, defatted soybean meal typicallycontains about 30% solvent by weight. Prior to being used as an animalfeed, the meal is typically processed through a desolventizer-toaster(DT) operation to remove residual solvent and to heat the proteinfraction to inactivate trypsin inhibitors and other naturally occurringtoxicants. Typically, steam contacts the soybean meal and the heat ofvaporization released from the condensing steam vaporizes the solvent,which is subsequently recovered and recycled.

Alternatively, the soybean meal is defatted mechanically using, forexample, a screw press. This mechanically extracted or “expeller”soybean meal typically contains between about 4 and about 8 wt %residual oil. If the intended use of the meal is as a feed supplementfor ruminants, then the meal may first be heated and dried in aspecified manner, such as that taught in U.S. Pat. No. 5,225,230, beforeoil is extracted mechanically. The defatted soybean meal is then driedand typically ground or pelletized and then milled into a physical statesuitable for use as a food supplement or as an animal feed.

Further processing of the soybean or the meal may be done to make theresulting feed more palatable, available and/or digestible in animals.These processes include addition of enzymes or nutrients, and heattreating the meal. Additionally, further processing may be done to themeal, such as pellet and cub, to make it more compact and dense indistribution.

Further processing of the soybean meal can produce soybean flour,soybean protein concentrates, and soybean protein isolates that havefood, feed, and industrial uses. Soybean flours are produced simply bygrinding and screening the defatted soybean meal. Soybean proteinconcentrates, having at least about 65 wt % protein, are made byremoving soluble carbohydrate material from defatted soybean meal.Aqueous alcohol extraction (60-80% ethanol) or acid leaching at theisoelectric pH 4.5 of the protein are the most common methods ofremoving the soluble carbohydrate fraction. A myriad of applicationshave been developed for soybean protein concentrates and texturizedconcentrates in processed foods, meat, poultry, fish, cereal, and dairysystems, any of which can be employed with the high protein soybean mealof the present invention.

Soybean protein isolates are preferably produced through standardchemical isolation, drawing the protein out of the defatted soybeanflake through solubilization (alkali extraction at pH 7-10) andseparation followed by isoelectric precipitation. As a result, isolatesare at least about 90 wt % protein on a dry weight basis. They aresometimes high in sodium and minerals (ash content), a property that canlimit their application. Their major applications have been in dairysubstitution, as in infant formulas and milk replacers.

Soybean flours are often used in the manufacturing of meat extenders andanalogs, pet foods, baking ingredients, and other food products. Foodproducts made from soybean flour and isolate include baby food, candyproducts, cereals, food drinks, noodles, yeast, beer, ale, and the like.

The soybean meal of the present invention can be further processed intoany of the products described herein. The advantages of using the highprotein soybean meals of the present invention are the higher proteinand lower carbohydrate contents, thus reducing the extent of processingto achieve the desired end products.

Soybeans additionally have many industrial uses. One common industrialusage for soybeans is the preparation of binders that can be used tomanufacture composites, such as wood composites. Soybean-based bindershave been used to manufacture common wood products such as plywood formore than 70 years. Although the introduction of urea-formaldehyde andphenol-formaldehyde resins has decreased the usage of soy-basedadhesives in wood products, environmental concerns and consumerpreferences for adhesives made from a renewable feedstock have caused aresurgence of interest in developing new soy-based products for the woodcomposite industry.

Preparation of adhesives represents another common industrial usage forthe protein fraction from soybeans. Examples of soybean adhesivesinclude soybean hydrolyzate adhesives and soybean flour adhesives.Soybean hydrolyzate is a colorless, aqueous solution made by reactingsoybean protein isolate in a 5% sodium hydroxide solution under heat(120° C.) and pressure (30 psig). The resulting degraded soybean proteinsolution is basic (pH 11) and flowable (approximately 500 cps) at roomtemperature. Various adhesive formulations can be made from soy flour,with the first step commonly requiring dissolving the flour in a sodiumhydroxide solution. The strength and other properties of the resultingformulation will vary depending on the additives in the formulation. Soyflour adhesives may also potentially be combined with other commerciallyavailable resins.

Feed Formulations

The high protein soybean meal of the present invention is used invarious feed formulations. In a preferred embodiment, the high proteinsoybean meal of the present invention is used in feed formulations forsimple stomach animals, such as swine and poultry. Due to the higherprotein content of the soybean meals of the present invention, inclusionrates are commonly reduced as compared to commodity soybean meal. Use ofthe high protein soybean meal of the present invention in feedformulations will reduce total soy protein, soy fiber, soyoligosaccharides, and potassium ion (K+) in the feed. Reducing thesecomponents may have benefit for young mammals and poultry that can notefficiently utilize soy fiber or soy protein sources. Additionally, thegreater energy content in the high protein meal of the present inventionas compared to commodity soybean meal will reduce the need for inclusionof exogenous fat and oil sources in poultry feed. This provides apotential benefit for poultry producers, enabling them to avoid the useof inconsistent feed grade sources of fat or oil. The combination ofbeing able to reduce the total mass of soybean meal and fat or oilsupplements, when using the high protein soybean meal of the presentinvention, will create more space in the feed formulation for additionalingredients. This characteristic of the soybean meal of the presentinvention provides the benefit to the animal producer and formulator ofhaving more choices for the feed formulation.

Another characteristic of the high protein soybean meal of the presentinvention is the more consistent protein and energy quality as comparedto commodity soybean meal. The more consistent protein and energyquality may reduce the use of other by-products, such as meat and bonemeal and poultry by-product. This would reduce the need for storage binsfor ingredients and hence reduce the cost of maintenance of suchingredient bins. Examples of the flexibility in feed formulation optionswhen using high protein soybean meal of the present invention isdemonstrated in the table below. The table shows the compositions of atypical corn-soybean meal formulation (Agri Stats 2001 Annual Analysis,Agri Stats Inc., Fort Wayne, Ind.), and three alternative formulationsusing high protein soybean meal of the present invention. The tableillustrates the ability for a formulator to substitute bakeryby-products or eliminate the use of meat and bone meal when using thehigh protein soybean meal of the present invention as an ingredient.

TABLE 1 Compositions of a typical corn-soybean meal formulation (AgriStats 2001 Annual Analysis, Agri Stats Inc., Fort Wayne, Indiana), andthree alternative formulations using high protein soybean meal of thepresent invention. Broiler Grower Formulations Ingredients % % % % Corn60  65  65 60  Soybean meal 25  — — High protein soybean — 22  27 22 meal Meat and bone meal 5 5 — — Tallow 4 2  2 4 Bakery by-products — — —8 Micro ingredients 6 6  6 6

The present invention is further described in the following Examples,which are offered by way of illustration and are not intended to limitthe present invention in any manner. Standard techniques well known inthe art, or the technique specifically described below, are utilized.

EXAMPLE 1

This example describes the production of high protein soybeans useful ingenerating the high protein soybean meal of the present invention.

The six soybean varieties, exemplified below, were developed for highprotein plus oil contents with equivalent yields to commercialvarieties. The breeding and selection procedures followed thosedescribed by Byrum et al. U.S. Published Application No. 20040060082).Three separate yield trials were conducted under standard agronomicpractices typically used by commercial seed producers, at differentlocations throughout Indiana, Illinois, and Iowa. In each location,yield measurements and lodging evaluations were made in addition toanalyses for protein and oil. Comparisons were made to selectedcommercial varieties in each trial. The results of the trials are shownbelow in Tables 2-4.

TABLE 2 Yield trial evaluation of a high protein soybean varietyDRM2004A0R, and selected commercial soybean varieties. The resultsrepresent the means of 19 different locations across the MidwesternUnited States. RELATIVE YIELD LODGING PROTEIN OIL PROT + OIL VARIETYMATURITY (bu/A) SCORE (% dmb) (% dmb) (% dmb) DRM2004A0R 2.0 48.0 1.645.3 20.6 65.9 ASGROW BRAND 1.9 48.5 2.2 40.1 22.8 62.9 AG1901 PIONEERBRAND 91M90 1.9 47.3 1.8 41.2 20.9 62.1 DEKALB BRAND DKB19- 1.9 47.4 1.339.7 21.7 61.4 52 SYNGENTA BRAND S19- 1.9 48.5 1.2 40.3 21.3 61.6 V2ASGROW BRAND 1.9 49.5 1.5 39.7 20.9 60.6 AG1903 ASGROW BRAND 2.0 48.01.8 41.2 22.0 63.2 AG2001 DEKALB BRAND DKB20- 2.0 52.2 1.3 40.4 22.162.5 52 PIONEER BRAND 92M00 2.0 46.9 1.6 40.5 21.8 62.3

TABLE 3 Yield trial evaluation of the high protein soybean varietiesDOX2804E0R and DCP2904B04, and selected commercial soybean varieties.The results represent the means of 25 different locations across theMidwestern United States. RELATIVE YIELD LODGING PROTEIN OIL PROT + OILVARIETY MATURITY (bu/A) SCORE (% dmb) (% dmb) (% dmb) DOX2804E0R 2.849.5 3.4 44.0 20.2 64.2 DCP2904B0R 2.9 50.0 2.7 45.5 19.5 65.0 DEKALBBRAND DKB26- 2.6 48.9 3.7 40.2 21.9 62.0 52 PIONEER BRAND 2.7 52.2 3.038.6 22.8 61.4 92M70 ASGROW BRAND 2.7 51.2 2.9 38.1 22.7 60.8 AG2703ASGROW BRAND 2.7 50.7 3.0 40.9 21.3 62.2 AG2705 PIONEER BRAND 2.8 54.02.3 39.8 22.2 62.0 92M80 DEKALB BRAND DKB28- 2.8 53.0 3.1 39.5 21.9 61.453 ASGROW BRAND 2.8 52.6 2.9 39.9 21.7 61.5 AG2801 SYNGENTA BRAND 2.851.3 4.6 42.2 20.0 62.2 S28-L9

TABLE 4 Yield trial evaluation of the high protein soybean varietiesDBL3204F0R, DFN3204E04, and DBL3404D0R, and selected commercial soybeanvarieties. The results represent the means of 31 different locationsacross the Midwestern United States. OIL PROT + OIL RELATIVE YIELDLODGING PROTEIN (% (% VARIETY MATURITY (bu/A) SCORE (% dmb) dmb) dmb)DBL3204F0R 3.2 47.2 1.9 44.3 20.5 64.8 DFN3204E0R 3.2 47.3 2.7 44.4 19.563.9 DBL3404D0R 3.4 48.0 3.3 45.3 20.1 65.4 DEKALB BRAND DKB31-51 3.151.4 2.1 38.8 23.4 62.2 ASGROW BRAND AG3202 3.2 52.2 3.0 39.6 21.8 61.4SYNGENTA BRAND S32-G5 3.2 48.5 2.1 36.1 22.7 58.8 ASGROW BRAND AG33023.3 51.3 3.2 39.0 22.2 61.2 ASGROW BRAND AG3305 3.3 53.1 2.3 35.3 22.858.1 SYNGENTA BRAND S34-U4 3.4 51.4 3.4 38.6 21.7 60.3 PIONEER BRAND93M41 3.4 51.0 2.7 37.8 22.9 60.7 ASGROW BRAND AG3401 3.4 53.6 3.4 40.521.6 62.1 PIONEER BRAND 93M60 3.6 51.9 3.4 39.2 22.2 61.4

The results above exemplify high protein soybean varieties, having anoil plus protein content of at least about 64% and capable of commercialyields, which could be used in generating the high protein soybean mealof the present invention.

EXAMPLE 2

This example describes the production of EXP125A soybeans used inpreparing a high protein soybean meal of the present invention.

The EXP125A soybeans are described as “Soybean Variety 007583” in U.S.patent application Ser. No. 10/194,922, ATCC deposit number PTA-5764.

Yield trials were conducted to evaluate EXP125A, and other examples ofhigh protein soybean varieties, EXP2702REN and EXP2902REN. The trialswere conducted under standard agronomic practices typically used bycommercial seed producers, across 14 different locations throughoutIndiana, Illinois, and Iowa and in each location comparisons were madeto selected commercial varieties. The results of the trials are shownbelow, in Table 5, with the yields expressed as averages across 14locations. The results indicate that the high protein soybeans evaluatedin these trials were capable of a commercial yield.

TABLE 5 Evaluation of high protein varieties EXP125A, EXP2702REN, andEXP2902REN, and selected commercial varieties. The results represent themeans of 14 different trial locations across the Midwestern UnitedStates. Type Variety Yield (bu/A) High Protein EXP125A 47 High ProteinEXP2702REN 47 High Protein EXP2902REN 46 Commercial Asgrow A2247 46Commercial Asgrow A2553 53 Commercial Pioneer 92B23 48 CommercialPioneer 92B35 48 Commercial NK24-L2 48

To generate the quantity of soybeans needed for processing into highprotein meal and the subsequent feeding trials described herein, theEXP125A soybeans were grown under standard agronomic practices indifferent locations in the midwestern United States (Iowa, Illinois, andIndiana). The production encompassed a total of approximately 12,000acres of commercial farmland. A total of approximately 14,500 tons ofsoybean grain was harvested from all locations. All grain produced wastransported to a common commercial scale processing facility.

EXAMPLE 3

This example describes the production of a high protein soybean meal ata commercial scale processing facility. All unit operations describedbelow were performed using commercially available equipment.

High protein soybeans, as described in Example 2, were delivered viatruck, to the commercial processing facility. The delivered moisturecontents of the soybeans were in the range of 11-12%. The oil contentwas measured at 19.5 wt %, and the protein content was measured at 45.2wt % (dry matter basis).

The soybeans were cleaned and then dried to an average starting moistureof 10.4 wt %. The cleaned and dried soybeans were then cracked usingdouble cracking rolls.

The soybean cracks were then conveyed to the 2-stage aspiration system.The resulting hulls, recovered from the aspiration stream, had anaverage fat content of 0.84 wt %. The resulting meats were then dehulledto ultimately yield a defatted finished meal with 2.9 wt % crude fiber.The settings on the aspiration vacuum system were adjusted as necessaryto optimize the hull separation from the meats.

The meats were then heat conditioned in a rotary conditioning system.The discharge temperature was maintained between 157.4 to 160.1° F., andthe nominal residence time for the cracks was 30 minutes.

A drag conveyor moved the hot cracks from the discharge of theconditioner to the feeder of several flakers. A variety of makes andmodels of flakers were employed during the processing of the cracks. Theresulting flakes from all flakers were less than 0.4 mm (0.016″) thick.Approximately 60% of the flakes produced were subsequently expanded,using an expander, to produce collets.

The flakes and collets were then solvent extracted with iso-hexanepercolated through a 26 foot diameter fixed bottom extractor at a ratioof 0.7-0.8 lb solvent/lb whole beans. The mixed collet and flake beddepth was 8 feet. The solids residence time was typically 20 minutes.The extractor temperature was maintained between 132.4 and 140.0° F. Thesolids to solvent feed ratio, solids residence time, solvent drainagetime, bed depth, and other extractor parameter settings were adjusted tooptimize oil extraction, and were within the ranges typically employedby those skilled in the art.

The solvent extracted flakes and collets were desolventized using a 168inch desolventizer-toaster (DT). The extracted soybean oil wasdesolventized by a sequence of two rising film evaporators followed byone oil stripper, in series. Operating conditions were those typical fora commercial soybean extraction facility, and well known to those ofskill in the art.

The resulting soybean meal was dried to a moisture content of less than12.5 wt %, and then cooled to less than 104° F. The soybean meal wasthen hammer-milled such that greater than 80% of a representative samplecould pass through a U.S. #10 mesh screen.

Approximately 1140 metric tons of high protein soybean meal was producedas described above. Composite samples from each railcar loaded out wereanalyzed, and the results are shown below in Table 6. This meal was thenused in feeding trials as described in the following Examples.

TABLE 6 Analysis of composite examples of high protein soybean mealgenerated as described in Example 3. Residual Crude Urease pH CrudeProtein Crude Fiber Moisture rise¹ (%) Fat (%) (%) (%) Minimum 0.02 52.80.9 2.6 11.4 Average 0.05 53.6 1.0 2.9 12.0 Maximum 0.11 54.4 1.2 3.412.6 ¹Urease pH rise is an indicator of the extent of proteindenaturation taken place during the toasting operation. The pH rise isdirectly proportional to the amount of nondenatured urease.

EXAMPLE 4

This example describes the determination of true metabolizable energy(TME) of the high protein soybean meal produced on a commercial scale,as described in Example 2.

A metabolic study was designed to determine the true metabolizableenergy of the high protein soybean meal. Thirty six single comb whiteleghorn roosters (Hy-Line breed), at 44 weeks of age, were allotted to 3treatments in a 3×3 Latin square design. The 3 treatments were:

-   -   Control—yellow corn for endogenous energy determination    -   Soybean meal A—pilot scale processed high protein soybeans    -   Soybean meal B—pilot scale processed commercial soybeans

Prior to the study, the roosters were randomly placed in individualmetabolic cages and fasted for 30 hours. After the second day, eachrooster was fed 35 grams of the corresponding feed treatment or control,and the excreta was collected in a stainless steel pan for 48 hours. Theprocedure was repeated 3 times.

The collected excreta was individually weighed, dried, and weighed againto calculate the moisture content. Three samples were then pooledrandomly for gross energy (GE) determination using a bomb calorimeter(Parr Instrument Co., Moline, Ill.). Pooled excreta for each treatmentwas then ground to a powder in a standard Wiley mill, and approximately1 gram of each powder was pelleted using a Parr pellet press (ParrInstrument Co., Moline, Ill.). The pellet samples were then placed in anadiabatic oxygen bomb (Parr Instrument Co., Moline, Ill.) and the grossenergy determined. Analyses of pooled samples were done in duplicate.

The gross energy of the different soybean meals were determined by asimilar procedure as the excreta. Ground samples of the meal werepelleted, using the same equipment as described above. The pelletedsamples were then placed in the same adiabatic oxygen bomb, and thegross energy determined as described above. Analyses of pooled sampleswere done in duplicate.

The true metabolizable energy (TME) was calculated using the followingequation:

TME=(grams feed×(GE feed)×(grams collected excreta×GE collectedexcreta)—(endogenous GE))/grams feed

As used herein, endogenous GE is defined as the gross energy ofcollected fecal sample from a rooster fed a control feed (97% yellowcorn and 3% vitamins/minerals).

Additionally, analyses for protein, oil, crude fiber, neutral detergentfiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), ash, and amino acids profileswere done and compared to values from a standard soybean meal asreferenced in the National Research Council (NRC) (Nutrient Requirementfor Poultry (1994) and Nutrient Requirement for Swine (1998)). Allanalyses followed protocols set forth by the AOAC® Official Methods^(SM)(AOAC® International, Gaithersburg, Md.). Briefly, crude proteinanalysis followed AOAC® Official Method 990.03 (2000); crude fiberfollowed AOAC® Official Method 978.10 (2000); ash followed AOAC®Official Method 942.05 (2000); and amino acid profiles followed AOAC®Official Method 982.30 E (a, b, c), CHP. 45.3.05 (2000). Analyses forNDF and ADF followed AOAC® 56:1352-1356 (1973) and AOAC® Official Method973.18 (A-D) (2000), respectively, with some modification.

The results shown below in Table 7 indicate that the TME of high proteinsoybean meal is 175 kcal/kg greater than the TME in regular soybean meal(2660 vs. 2485 kcal/kg). Additionally, there is a greater increase inconcentrations of arginine and valine as compared to the increase inprotein. Therefore, the quality of amino acids is another distinguishingfeature of the high protein soybean meal.

TABLE 7 Comparative analysis of high protein soybean meal of the presentinvention and commercial (regular) soybean meal. HP SBM Regular SBM^(a)Standard Analysis, % (90% Dry Matter) Protein 55.9 48.5 Oil 1.2 1.0Crude Fiber 2.8 3.9 NDF 6.9 8.9 ADF 2.8 5.4 Ash 6.4 5.7 Energy, kcal/kgPoultry TME 2,660 2,485 Amino Acid Content, % (88% Dry Matter) HP SBMRegular SBM Lysine 3.34 2.96 Methionine 0.75 0.67 Cysteine 0.81 0.72Threonine 2.05 1.87 Tryptophan 0.78 0.74 Arginine 4.12 3.48 Isoleucine2.50 2.12 Leucine 4.20 3.74 Valine 2.67 2.22 Histidine 1.48 1.28Phenylalanine 2.80 2.34 Tyrosine 1.91 1.95 Glycine 2.26 2.05 Serine 2.362.48 Alanine 2.25 — Aspartate 6.35 — Glutamate 10.48 — ^(a)Regularsoybean meal composition data is from NRC, Nutrient Requirement forPoultry (1994) and Swine (1998).

EXAMPLE5

This example describes a feeding trial with broilers, evaluating thehigh protein soybean meal generated as described in Example 2.

A controlled floor pen study using a total of 960 male broilers(hereafter referred to as “birds”) was conducted to evaluate thenutritional value of the high protein soybean meal (HPSBM), as comparedto commodity soybean meal (SBM). One half (480) of the birds used wereCobb 500 (Cobb-Vantress, Siloam Springs, Ark.) and the other half wereRoss 308 (Aviagen, Huntsville, Ala.). The birds were randomly allottedto the 3 treatments described in the table below.

TABLE 8 Description of treatments in broiler feeding trial described inExample 5. Treatment 1 Treatment 2 Treatment 3 SBM-Control HPSBM-IHPSBM-II Description Commodity Diet was formulated Isometric diet asSoybean Meal to same protein and treatment 1 (SBM) amino acid level asreplacing SBM treatment 1. usage with HPSBM Assumes equal ME equallybetween HPSBM and SBM Major Corn, SBM, Corn, HPSBM, Corn, HPSBM,ingredients tallow tallow tallow Nutrient Requirements (meet averagenutrient requirement of Agri Stats 2001 Annual Analysis, Agri StatsInc., Fort Wayne, Indiana) Starter Grower Finisher ME, kcal/lb 1,3971,434.00 1,465 Crude Protein, % 22.7 20.3 16.8 Lysine, % 1.32 1.15 0.90

The birds were fed starter, grower, and finisher diets formulated to thetreatment strategy listed above from day 1 through day 42. Each diet wasfed for 14 days. The results shown in the table below indicate that thebirds fed HPSBM-II had a significantly greater weight gain and betterfeed conversion rate as compared to the other 2 diets. The birds fedHPSBM-I diets grew slightly less than birds fed control feeds (P>0.05).The feed conversion rate, however, is 4.2 points better than the controldiets (1.748 vs. 1.790 for HPSBM-I and SBM Control, respectively). Theseresults indicate that the energy of HPSBM is higher than commercial SBMand therefore the birds fed the HPSBM-I diets grew at a similar rate butgain weight more efficiently. These results corroborate the results ofthe TME determination described in Example 3.

TABLE 9 Results of broiler feeding trial described in Example 5.Treatments Average daily gain, g Feed:Gain Ratio SBM-Control 55.92 1.790HPSBM-I 55.06 1.748 HPSBM-II 57.66* 1.698* *P < .05

EXAMPLE 6

This example describes a commercial scale broiler feeding trialcomparing the performance of a commodity soybean meal having 48% protein(48% SBM) with the high protein soybean meal (HPSBM) prepared asdescribed in Example 2.

This study was conducted at multiple commercial farms in thesoutheastern United States. The commercial barns used in the studyranged in age from 1 to 25 years old, with all having heating andventilation provided. Each commercial barn contained between 15,000 and18,000 birds. Clean water and fresh feed were provided to birds adlibitum. Routine health and management programs were used in allcommercial farms without additional modifications. Barns were randomlyassigned for feeding the control rations containing commodity soybeanmeal or the rations containing high protein soybean meal.

Four different phases of feed corresponding to starter, grower, withdraw1, and withdraw 2, were formulated according to standard industrialpractices as outlined in Agri Stats Report 2003 (Agri Stats, Fort Wayne,Ind.). The base ingredients in the feeds were corn and soybean meal,with the balance of the formulation consisting of a few commonby-products from bakeries and rendering plants. Feeds at each phase wereformulated at equivalent levels of energy, protein, and essential aminoacids, using either commodity soybean meal or high protein soybean meal.The pooled data is shown in the table below.

TABLE 10 Results from commercial feeding trial using the high proteinsoybean meal of the present invention, as described in Example 6.calories # of Livability, 1st week Feed:Gain required for birds %mortality, % ratio a 5 lb. bird HPSBM 819,500 96.75 0.87 1.86 2,587 48%SBM 564,600 96.39 1.29 1.90 2,620

These results indicate that the birds fed with the HPSBM had a slightlybetter livability (+0.36) and an improved feed:gain ratio (4 points).These results indicate that under the isocaloric and isonitrogenousconditions of this study, the HPSBM demonstrated improved growthperformance when compared to standard commercial soybean meal.

EXAMPLE7

This example describes the protein and amino acid digestibility of highprotein soybean meal generated in a pilot plant as compared to commoditysoybean meal, generated in a pilot plant and at commercial scale.

One hundred and eighty male Ross 308 broilers were used in an experimentto determine the amino acid (AA) digestibility of pilot plant processedhigh protein soybean meal (HPSBM). The experiment was conducted as arandomized complete block design with 5 dietary treatments and 6replicates per treatment. Each treatment replicate consisted of 2 penswith 3 birds per pen. Common corn-soybean meal, starter, and growerdiets (formulated at industry average level) were fed for 26 days. At 26days of age, the birds were weighed and sorted to equalize the averageweight among replicates. Treatment diets were started at 26 days of ageand fed for 4 days. Birds had ad libitum access to feed and water. At 29days of age, fresh excreta were collected for determination of energydigestibility and amino acid digestion.

All test diets, as shown in Table 1, contained the same concentration ofall ingredients, with the exception of soybean meal source. Chromicoxide and titanium were added to all diets as indigestible markers.

Treatment assignments for the soybean meals of this study are describedbelow:

-   -   1. Commodity soybeans processed at a commercial crush plant.    -   2. Commodity soybeans processed at pilot plant scale (same        soybean source as Treatment 1).    -   3. High protein soybeans processed at pilot plant scale (meal        contains 4,900 trypsin inhibitor units, and 0.11 urease pH        rise).    -   4. High protein soybeans processed at pilot plant scale (meal        contains 6,800 trypsin inhibitor units, and 0.47 urease pH        rise).

Treatments 3 and 4 represent samples taken at different times during thesame processing run. Excreta samples from the 2 pens that made up areplicate of a treatment were combined; frozen, lyophilised, ground, andanalyzed for chromic oxide and amino acids. Pen temperatures werecontrolled at 65+/−2° F. and a schedule of 23 hour lighting was used forthe entire experiment, with the 1 hour dark period starting at midnight.Each pen consisted of 3 birds with a growing density of 0.67 square footper bird.

The data were summarized by comparing replicate treatment means andstatistical analysis of variance for each of the measurements wasperformed using General Linear Models (GLM) procedure of SAS (SASInstitute Inc., Cary, N.C.).

TABLE 11 Ingredient composition of test diets Commercial Pilot PilotNormal Normal High protein SBM SBM SBM Ingredients (1) (2) (3) (4)Commodity SBM¹ 99.203  — — — Pilot Commodity SBM² — 99.203  — — PilotHPSBM³ — — 99.203  — Pilot HPSBM⁴ — — — 99.203  Salt 0.372 0.372 0.3720.372 Poultry trace mineral 0.050 0.050 0.050 0.050 Poultry vitamin0.125 0.125 0.125 0.125 Titanium dioxide 0.100 0.100 0.100 0.100Chrornic oxide 0.150 0.150 0.150 0.150 ¹Commodity soybean meal (SBM),processed at a commercial crush plant. ²Pilot plant scale producedcommodity SBM (same soybean source as Treatment 1). ³Pilot plantproduced HPSBM having 4,900 trypsin inhibitor units, and 0.11 urease.⁴Pilot plant produced HPSBM having 6,800 trypsin inhibitor units, and0.47 urease.

The digestibility data is shown in Table 12. The digestibility ofcysteine was higher (P<0.04) for the two HPSBM treatments as compared tothe two commodity SBMs (treatments 3 and 4 vs. treatments 1 and 2,respectively). However, for all other amino acids the HPSBM andcommodity SBM had equivalent (P>0.05) digestibility. There was nodifference (P>0.06) in digestibility of the commodity SBM processed atcommercial scale and that of the commodity SBM processed at pilot plantscale (treatment 1 and treatment 2, respectively). Additionally, therewas no difference (P>0.15) for the mean of all the SBM processed atpilot plant scale, for any amino acid (treatments 2, 3, and 4). The meanof the two HPSBM (treatments 3 and 4) was higher (P<0.04) indigestibility for methionine, cysteine, valine, and isoleucine than thepilot scale processed normal meal (treatment 2). All other amino acidshad equal (P>0.04) digestibilities. There was no difference (P>0.15) indigestibility between the two SBMs processed at pilot plant scale.

TABLE 12 The amino acid digestibility¹ of commodity SBM and HPSBMSoybean Meal Type Commodity Commodity- HP- Commercial² pilot³HP-Pilot-4.9⁴ Pilot-6.8⁵ Amino Acids (1) (2) (3) (4) Methionine 89.0687.26 91.35 89.04 Lysine 89.40 87.99 90.67 89.40 Cystine 79.09 74.6182.23 78.70 Valine 85.39 83.37 87.81 85.60 Threonine 81.42 79.48 84.0881.11 Histidine 88.69 88.08 90.49 88.81 Phenylalanine 87.32 86.12 89.5487.36 Isoleucine 86.99 85.06 89.38 87.49 Leucine 87.00 85.67 89.45 87.55Arginine 89.09 87.70 88.19 86.15 Tryptophan 90.86 90.91 92.53 91.07¹From excreta collected from the lower ileum of 30 day old Ross 308broilers. ²Commodity soybeans processed at the commercial crush plant.³Pilot plant scale crushed commodity soybean (same soybean source asTreatment 1). ⁴Pilot plant scale crushed HPSBM (4,900 trypsin inhibitorunits, and 0.11 urease rise). ⁵Pilot plant scale crushed HPSBM (6,800trypsin inhibitor units, and 0.47 urease rise).

1. A soybean meal comprising at least 58% protein on a dry weight basis,wherein no exogenous source of protein has been added, and wherein saidmeal is generated from a soybean capable of commercial yields.
 2. Thesoybean meal of claim 1 wherein the soybean has a protein content of atleast 45% on a dry weight basis.
 3. The soybean meal of claim 1 whereinthe soybean has an oil plus protein content of at least 64% on a dryweight basis.
 4. The soybean meal of claim 1, wherein the meal comprisesat least 60% protein on a dry weight basis.
 5. The soybean meal of claim1, wherein the meal comprises at least 62% protein on a dry weightbasis.
 6. A soybean meal resulting from the processing of a high proteinsoybean variety, said soybean variety having a mean whole seed totalprotein content of greater than about 45% on a dry weight basis, andwherein the soybean variety is capable of commercial yields.
 7. Thesoybean meal of claim 1, wherein the soybean is transgenic.
 8. Thesoybean meal of claim 7, wherein the transgenic soybean comprises anexogenous gene conferring herbicide resistance.
 9. The soybean meal ofclaim 8, wherein the transgenic soybean is resistant to glyphosateherbicide.
 10. A feed containing the soybean meal of claim
 1. 11. Aprotein isolate prepared from the soybean meal of claim
 1. 12. A proteinconcentrate prepared from the soybean meal of claim
 1. 13. A method offeeding an animal comprising incorporating into a feed ration a soybeanmeal comprising at least 58% protein on a dry weight basis, wherein noexogenous source of protein has been added, and wherein said meal isgenerated from a soybean capable of commercial yields.
 14. The method ofclaim 13, wherein the meal comprises at least 60% protein on a dryweight basis.
 15. The method of claim 13, wherein the meal comprises atleast 62% protein on a dry weight basis.
 16. The method of claim 13,wherein the animal is selected from the group consisting of poultry,swine, bovine, and companion animal.
 17. The method of claim 13, whereinthe animal is poultry.
 18. A soybean meal comprising at least 58%protein on a dry weight basis, wherein no exogenous source of proteinhas been added, and wherein said meal is generated from a soybeanvariety comprising ATCC deposit number PTA-5764.
 19. A method ofprocessing a soybean comprising providing a soybean comprising a proteincontent of at least 45% on a dry weight basis, and wherein the soybeanis capable of commercial yields, processing the soybean to produce anoil fraction and a meal fraction.